Success StoryUK IRM Farm Program Stimulates Dramatic Changes in Productivity and Revenue for Cattlemen in Clark County



UK IRM Farm Program Stimulates Dramatic Changes in Productivity and Revenue for Cattlemen in Clark County

Author: Leslie Anderson

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Beef

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Reproductive success governs production efficiency in beef cow-calf operations. The University of Kentucky Beef Integrated Reproductive Management (Beef IRM) team developed a multi-disciplinary program to help cattlemen adopt production practices that favor high reproductive rates in their cow herds. The educational model of this program combines traditional classroom with an extensive hands-on, learn-by-doing methodology. UK Extension employs this model as an effort to increase behavior modification. The UK IRM Farm Program is designed to be a long-term project (5-7 years) in order to accurately demonstrate the impact of controlling reproduction.

Mrs. Joy Graham has been a part of the program since the spring of 2016. Mrs. Graham resides in Clark County and runs a small herd of Limousin-influenced cattle. In 2016, the cows calved during a 143-day calving season from February 12 to July 4th. Her goal was to move to a 60-day calving season in March and April. In order to control the calving season, we need to control the breeding season. Advanced reproductive techniques were used to shorten the calving season. Last fall, 20 of the 22 cows conceived (91%), and both open females were sold after the calves were weaned. The 2018 calving season began on March 1 and ended on April 29; a 59-day calving season.



2015

2016

2017

2018

# Cows

25

21

22

22

# of Calves Born

24

21

22

20

Calving Percentage

96%

100%

100%

91%

# of Calves Weaned

23

21

 22


% Weaned / Cow Exposed

92%

100%

 100%


Adj. Wean Weight (lbs)

543

570

593


Wean Weight / Cow Exposed (lbs)

537

570

593


Date of First Calf

2/1/2015

2/12/2016

3/2/2017

3/1/2018

Date of Last Calf

7/9/2015

7/4/2016

5/21/2017

4/29/2018

Calving Season Length

158

143

80

59

% Calving in Desired Window

50%

81%

95%

100%


The UK IRM Farm Program has made a tremendous impact on this farm. The calving season length has been shortened from 143 days to 59 days and increased revenue $70 per cow.






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